30 Responses to OTC: Zack Black Showing Cracks?

KentAgree on the greatness of the McGriddle (though I usually get the sausage version), but it wasn’t introduced until 2003.

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Kent,
I stand corrected. I had my first McGriddle while covering the Royals’ spring training in Surprise (I think the first or second year they moved from Florida). So it had to be in the 2000. Thanks.

GavinI think the comparison of Orlando Hudson to Jackie Robinson is interesting. Hudson isn’t half the player or, likely, half the man Jackie Robinson was but I can’t tell what you want Hudson to do. He has already said more about racism in baseball than Jackie Robinson did in his entire career. What is it you want, exactly? Do you want him to be less oblique or do you want him to shut up like Robinson was forced to do? Robinson, as you know, was pretty much required by the Dodgers to keep his mouth shut. He wasn’t allowed to say anything at all and he wasn’t allowed to fight back. Hudson may not have said what you wanted him to say, but he’s already said more than early African-American players ever did.

Or do you think Hudson should shut up entirely and make no reference at all to the possibility that existence of racism? And if that’s what you think, why do you think that? Do you know for a fact that there is no racism in the game? This isn’t exactly a new issue, and it isn’t one that has been fully resolved, is it?

I don’t think you think racism doesn’t exist in baseball, so I’m left to conclude that you think Hudson should either shut up or shout it out loud and not make obtuse assertions. And if that’s the case, where do you get off telling another man how he should expose himself, his family and his livelihood? You have to know there would be repercussions if he came out and said hwat he is apparently really thinking, but does he have a responsibility to make you happy by facing those repercussions? Would he be more of a hero if he came out and, ahem, called a spade a spade a spade and let the chips fall where they may? Yes, maybe he would. But I don’t think Orlando Hudson owes you or anyone else heroism. He owes you well-played baseball. If he wants to take on racism in baseball in half-measures, I’m not sure anyone, especially a white, middle-aged blogger and software consultant from Kansas City by way of Nebraska really has the perspective or experience to tell him otherwise. I’d also like to see Hudson explain himself fully, but he’s already done more to tackle racism in baseball than you and me put together, Greg.

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GH: Hudson needs to grow some balls and say what he means. Don’t be so down on white guys, Gavin. Without us the racism card is a joker.

RickHere is what I thought was interesting. when I read Hudson’s first comment I thought he was referring to steroids. I don’t know Hudson or his skin color. So I assumed he was referencing steroids. And since he won’t come out and say what he is talking about then I still may be right.

Ahh……..food my almost favorite topic. I loved two items BK had for breakfast both of which they have gotten rid of. Cheesy tots and they had a french toast sandwich which was like a mcgriddle except of course with french toast. It was heaven. I can still get it in some freezer sections at grocery stores.

Buchan-O-ClasticThis is the most RIDICULOUS caca I have heard in a LONG time…Orlando Hudson claims that the reason players like Dye and Sheffield can’t get picked up by other teams is because they are BLACK? HUH?

That is like me claiming that the Pub won’t serve me beer because I’m Irish when I actually have no funds!

Initiallly, hey …Orlando, thanks for stoking those friendly coals of racism that never quite seem yo go out because jack jaw genius’ like yourself have to rehash this crap ALL THE TIME. We can’t forget if you keep reminding everyone…

Next issue…Dye can’t get a spot on a team because he is asking for too much grip dude! No one wants to pay a 36 y/o guy 6 million a year no matter what color he is! And Dye has been offered at least 3 million by a team or two…I’m 36 – I’ll take 3 mill a year! And Sheffield? Yes, a Hall of Famer for sure, but a clubhouse cancer everywhere he has been who is also asking for way too much and has been offered a decent amount…

smartmanHad a McGriddle once and had to stop. Too damn good. I said no to drugs and the McGriddle.

The Chiefs may get three starters out of the draft but at best they will be
8-8, probably 6-10. Caring about the Chiefs on any level is ludicrous. They will disappoint. The new radio spots pimping tickets and the new “old” stadium are almost as annoying as the Trace Adkins ads from last season. Just because your grandma has vaginal rejuvenation surgery does not make her a hot lay if she’s in a wheelchair. Haley and Pioli are a joke. Clark Hunt is a waste of DNA and some people in this country think that Sarah Palin should be President.

GavinI’m not down on white dudes. Hell, I may be one myself. All I’m saying is that baseball’s history is rife with racism and it didn’t end with Jackie Robinson any more than it ended when Al Campanis got fired. And it didn’t end when Al Campanis got fired either. The percentage of African-Americans playing major league baseball is declining every year and you have to wonder if that’s because MLB isn’t making any effort at outreach to the African-American community, unlike the NBA and the NFL. I’m not saying, I’m just sayin’.

My point is that I don’t recall you, Greg, ever referring to your days in The Show and I doubt many other posters here have any reference point either. I’d like it if Hudson said what he meant and I agree that Dye probably doesn’t have a job because he wants too much money, but what do I know? What does anyone here know? And if Hudson is willing to take half measures and say that racism is still alive in baseball, for all I know he may be right. At least he is saying something. But I don’t think he has the responsibility to self-immolate and expose himself to slurs and ridicule just to make me happy.

smartmanBest way to solve the whole racism, reparations, slavery argument is to simply ask the person of color if they would prefer that slavery, better know as the involuntary tourism work program, never existed so that they would still be running around in Africa trying to get a job as an extra in a Feed The Children commercial. For most blacks a shitty day in the US is better than a good day in The Congo.

StevoIs there racism in baseball? Of course there is but i don’t think that impacts ONE bit the signings in baseball. There is COLLUSION in baseball. These owners were waiting for one thing that they could point to to justify an across the board end to the arms race in baseball. Except for the Yanks and Sox all these owners knew they didn’t want to cut that far into their profits by bidding against each other for free agents. They’re colluding!!! If it was racism, Jermain Dye wouldn’t have been offered and turned down several contracts. It’s collusion when he’s offered and turns down several fixed offers from colluding owners.

CliffyI know there are a lot of people who hate both of them, but I don’t think many realize just how lucky we were to have both Whitlock and JoPo here in KC when they were both on top of their game. I spend a lot of time in StL and the Post Dispatch has a nice sports section, but the writers just don’t have flare and edge of Jason and Joe. Fire away … but I’ve enjoyed reading both for years … even when it pissed me off.

TigerVIPGreg,
First and foremost let it go with the whole “Zack Black” thing. Nothing is worse than people trying to force a nickname. It’s not all that clever either.

Second, Fescoe is a joke.

Third, it is kind of peculiar that Jim Edmonds is playing and Jermaine Dye isn’t. Not saying it’s racism but seems odd unless there’s some injury there or something.

Fourth, Nick Wright may be the worst thing to happen to sports radio in KC since Neal & Marty. I swear he thinks he’s hosting a national show. If I hear one more time about how he’s friends with so and so player I’m going to throw up in my mouth. Plus he’s a stinking ultra left-wing “welfare state” liberal.

MoCrashGavin, I agree completely that racism exists in both baseball and society in general. Just as clearly, racism isn’t applicable in all cases in which some claim it to be.

Maybe the reason Dye and Sheffield are on the shelf is because they are Dye and Sheffield, two players with big contract expectations and declining skills and prospects are a better investment. Does anybody think either would substantially help the Royals build a better franchise?

I suspect the racism in baseball relates less to the players — because, after all, talent is the most valuable commodity — than it does to other aspects, such as the limited management opportunities and media-inspired fan perception of black and Latino players.

jjskck@TigerVIP-
Edmonds signed a minor league contract going into spring training, and he performed well enough to have his contract purchased. He’s making $850,000 base with up to $1.5M in incentives; he needs to basically become a full-time starter to reach that level.

It is documented that Jermaine Dye has turned down offers exceeding $3M annual base salary. That’s fine, but racism it is not.

Rainbow ManZack will have a ring someday. Count on it. By the way, Mike Anderson just exposed the MU athletic program to trouble. 8 losses in football and Alden is gone, unless he has the chancellor drinking Big 10 Kool-Aid.

JohnHey Greg, wondered if you read SAM MELLINGER column today as to KC’s trouble getting an NBA or NHL team. It’s a good read.

I said it before, but it bares repeating. We built the SC because we were told by Then Mayor Barnes that if we build it a team will come. That was four years ago. And now it looks like a team will never come.

So what was the point of building the SC then if we don’t get a team?

Is it helping rebuild downtown…not really. Downtown is pretty much still a ghost town.

Is the P&L district making money…no, it’s widely known that their losing money.

Worst yet, our tax dollars were used to build another failed entertainment area that has a rep of minorities need not show up or we’ll have you thrown out even if your in a three piece suit.

So without a team it looks like we build this new shinny building for 4-5 more concerts then what we were getting at Kemper, the Big 12 basketball tourny once ever 3 years and continue to see cities like Hamilton, Winnipeg, Regina, Oklahoma City and Memphis get NBA and NHL teams.

Building the SC and not having a NBA or NHL play there is like having a brand new sports car in high school and still not be able to get laid.

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GH: Mellinger’s in-depth look at Sprint Center and KC’s failed hopes of attratcing an NHL or NBA team is a good read in the Sunday Star. Barnes’ quote is rather telling; she still thinks a team is coming. It’s not and KC wouldn’t be able to support one if it did. The bigger mistake during Barnes’ terms as mayor was not getting the Royals to build a new ball park adjacent to Sprint Center and the P&L District. If the Royals were playing 81 games downtown, that would take a large load off the need for Sprint Center to house a pro franchise.

JohnSmartman, Greg is right. Instead of building the SC for a team that will not come, we should of built a new ballpark for the Royals. A team we already have. A new ballpark in downtown would of prevented the problems that the P$L district is going though.

KC FanDon’t worry, KC will never get another NBA or NHL team. I know many of you will be relieved at that fact. This big “town” full of hicks will never appreciate having a pro team, and will stick to their dreams of being a bigger version of Omaha. Maybe the Chiefs and Royals can leave and we can discuss college sports 24/7, that is the speed of the low rent sports fans in KC.

Sorry to rant, but the fans here don’t want anything bigger and that explains the continued malaise of KC sports. It never ends.

KC Fan810 radio is partially to blame as well. When the Pens were on the verge of deciding to move, there were crickets over there, and they ignored the story. I believe that KK and many of their “personalities” would be perfectly happy if the pro teams just left town. The fact that KK is the dominating sports talker in KC shows what a joke KC sports has become as well.